3-016-989 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Laying the foundation-stone of an English church, Philippolis, Orange Free State, South Africa, 1864. Engraving from a photograph by the Rev. C. Clulee. 'President Brand was on his way from Cape Town to the seat of his future government, and as he had to pass through Philippolis and Fauresmith, he was received with public festivities as he went. On this occasion Mr. Clulee and his churchwardens asked his Honour to lay the corner-stone of their new English church in the town, which he consented to do...On the Monday, Jan. 26, being the festival of the Conversion of St. Paul, the foundation-stone of the new church of St. Paul's was laid, by President Brand...Our Engraving represents the whole procession as it stood during the ceremony. His Honour stands on the Right Rev. Bishop Twells' left hand, Mr. Clulee on the right. The Bishop first delivered a suitable address in English, and a translation of it was read aloud (in Dutch) by the churchwarden...After this a few prayers were said by his Lordship, the sun being so hot it was necessary to proceed as quickly as might be, then his Honour laid the stone, and afterwards made a very cordial speech (first in English, then in Dutch), in which he expressed much good feeling towards the English Church'. From "Illustrated London News", 1864.